Local girl heads to national pageant

Wednesday

Laci MacQuisten of Temperance will compete in a national contest in November.

Laci MacQuisten of Temperance wants to be an actress when she is older.

The 9-year-old who attended Temperance Road Elementary School last year is on her way.

She received first place in the actress competition at the National American Miss Pageant in the junior preteen division, besting 40 competitors. The contest took place the first weekend in July in Dearborn.

?I was given a list of 20 commercials and had to choose one,? Laci explained. ?I picked the bubble gum one because I like gum.?

For taking the top prize in the acting contest, she received a large trophy, $250 and the opportunity to participate in the national pageant at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., in November.

Overall, in her age category, more than 140 pre-teens competed, but not all contestants participate in each category.

The daughter of Matt and Judy MacQuisten, Laci is in her second year of pageants, which she enjoys for many reasons.

?It?s really fun,? the soon-to-be fourth-grader at Monroe Road Elementary School said. ?I get to meet a lot of new people.?

At the Dearborn contest, Laci received the Outstanding Participation award. The youth received the Spirit of America award for her two tap dance performances, casual wear modeling and photogenic entry as well as the Michigan State Finalist honor.

Last year, Laci was fourth-runner up in the actress contest in the same pageant, where she also received the Spirit of America and Outstanding Participation awards.

Mrs. MacQuisten said the National American Miss Pageant is not a beauty contest. It is an opportunity for girls to showcase their talents. Girls younger than 12 are not allowed to wear makeup and there is no swim suit contest.

?It is about character and community involvement as well,? she said.

Laci was interviewed by a panel of six judges asking questions like what she would do with a lot of money. She answered ?save my school.? TRE was closed at the end of the school year due to budget cuts.

In another question, she was asked who she like to be for a day. She answered her grandmother, Barb Nowak of Petersburg.

To perfect her acting skills, Laci has been working with Lisa Butler, an acting coach for John Casablanca modeling and acting studio in Toledo.

She also takes dance lessons at Denise?s Dance Reflections in Toledo. She is active in cheerleading and twirling.

The national contest will take place at Disneyland, and Laci said she is hoping for the best.

?I?m hoping to win, but I?m not sure what to expect,? she said. ?It will be my first time at nationals.?. Even if she doesn?t win at the national contest, Laci hopes the future is bright for her.

?I want to be in commercials and on TV,? she said.

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